Steelers WR Ward hopes to practice Thursday

Jan 27, 2009 - 1:05 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward says his injured right knee "feels better" and hopes to return to practice Thursday.

Ward updated the status of his knee Monday after the Steelers arrived in Tampa in preparation for Super Bowl XLIII.

Pittsburgh's leading receiver, Ward suffered a sprained MCL during Pittsburgh's 23-14 victory over Baltimore in the AFC championship game. The durable wideout did not return to the contest after sustaining the injury in opening quarter.

Hours after the Steelers' team plane touched down at Tampa International Airport, the 32-year-old Ward said his knee is improving.

"It feels better," he said. "I don't have a brace on, I walk around fine. It's not going to be 100 percent, I'm not going to trick anybody. But I think I'm going to be good, to be able to go out and perform like I want to."

Ward dismissed the notion that he could potentially miss Sunday's Super Bowl, claiming that he plans to receive "constant treatment" to prepare for the showdown with the Arizona Cardinals.

"I haven't run or cut or done anything," said Ward, who did not practice last week. "I was just constantly getting treatment, 24 hours around the clock."

Ward hasn't practiced on Wednesday's all season, so there is nothing to be ascertained from him missing that session.

"We are taking Hines day-to-day. Don't expect to see him on the practice field Wednesday, because Hines doesn't practice on Wednesday - the nice relationship thing he and I have," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said laughing. "We'll see where he is on Thursday."